Scripture and Prayers for Sunday, March 15, 2020
Isaiah 41:8-10
8 But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
10 do not fear, for I am with you,
do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Philippians 2:1-11
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.
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Prayer for People Facing Great Uncertainty
God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
And soothes the frantic heart;
Bring hope and courage to all
Who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make them the equal
Of whatever lies ahead.
Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
For your will is health and wholeness;
You are God, and we need you. Amen.
-Adapted from New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 765
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Prayer for the Sick
O God, our refuge in pain, our strength in weakness, our help in trouble, we come to you in our hour of need, asking for your mercy on your afflicted people. Strengthen them that they may bear their sufferings with patience. Let their hearts not be troubled, but give them the peace that passes all understanding. May their sufferings be turned into joy and their sicknesses into health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-Adapted from RCA Liturgy and Psalms (1968)
Isaiah 41:8-10
8 But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
10 do not fear, for I am with you,
do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Philippians 2:1-11
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.
-----
Prayer for People Facing Great Uncertainty
God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
And soothes the frantic heart;
Bring hope and courage to all
Who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make them the equal
Of whatever lies ahead.
Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
For your will is health and wholeness;
You are God, and we need you. Amen.
-Adapted from New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 765
-----
Prayer for the Sick
O God, our refuge in pain, our strength in weakness, our help in trouble, we come to you in our hour of need, asking for your mercy on your afflicted people. Strengthen them that they may bear their sufferings with patience. Let their hearts not be troubled, but give them the peace that passes all understanding. May their sufferings be turned into joy and their sicknesses into health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-Adapted from RCA Liturgy and Psalms (1968)
